School of Child ProtectionJune 7th, 2017 - General House

Fr. Thomas BANG,
an Oblate from the Province of Cameroon currently studying in Rome writes about
an important course he recently completed about the protection of children. It
was an online course and his "virtual classmate” was none other than the
Provincial of the Anglo-Irish Province, Father Raymond WARREN..

The well-being of children has always been of great
interest for the Church. (Canons 226 §2 and 1136 CIC andDe gravioribus
delictisart. 6 §2). The issues of child abuse may not leave any
church structure indifferent.

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate, advocates of the poor,
the marginalized, the exploited and the abused feel most concerned by this sad
reality that disfigures the Church. Each
Oblate should go to war against this evil. To win this battle against evil, we
need to be trained, equipped, organized
to be engaged in this battle.

Father Ray Warren and I just successfully participated
in courses on the protection of minors organized by the Kimmage Development Studies Centre (DSC
Kimmage). It was an online course from March to May. This
course brought together participants from all the continents; since we came
from different cultures, the exchanges were enlightening.

The course content was really enriching. I share with
you some examples: What is Safeguarding?; Development Organisations and the
Importance of Child Safeguarding; Development Organisations and Child Abuse
Case Study; Cultural and Generational Perceptions of Children; The Evolving
Capacities of Childhood; What to do when there is a reported case; Types of
child abuse; The Effects of Abuse on Children; Children's Rights; The
Importance of Having Child Safeguarding Policies, Procedures and Practices;
Writing a Child Safeguarding Policy.There was also a case study.

I say a big thank you to my "virtual classmate”
FatherRaymond Warren forhis
support. He practically held my hand and led me to that school. Thanks
to Father General and to my provincial superior for their encouragement. Abuse
of children is like a sea monster. We do not see it on the surface. No Oblate
unit is safe from this monster. Let us not be surprised by him!